Welcome to this worship service, also on this special day. Driving of our Lord Jesus Christ. Also welcome to visitors, family from even the Netherlands. Welcome in our midst. I hope that the Lord may bless our being together under his word. And for that, we ask God for his presence and his Blessings, let us pray. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth, who keeps truth forever, and who never forsakes. the works of his own hands. Grace, peace, and mercy be unto you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of all the rulers of this earth. Amen. Let us together join in song, and we will be singing from 160. 160 this morning, our first hymnal together. And it's about the Lord Jesus. It's 160, lo, how a rose' ear blooming. And please do that standing. 160, one, two, and three. you. As we come together, it's also good to confess the faith of the Church of all places and ages. And this morning, we will do that with the Apostles' Creed, the 12 Articles of Faith. And you can say with me in your heart, I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Let us pray. O Lord, on this morning, the day for us set aside to remember you're coming into the flesh, into this world. Lord, we come also to you and we pray that you would reveal yourself, that you would again make it known in our lives and in our hearts for the first time or anew that there is No way but Jesus. And Lord, you know exactly how we have come together this morning. Yes, it is a time of celebration, of happiness, of thankfulness. But in the midst of that happiness or thankfulness, Lord, it may be true also that deep down we are asking the question, where are you, oh Lord? Where is your kingdom? As we have come together this morning, we oftentimes, during times of celebration and happiness, yearly, we are reminded of those who are not with us anymore, who used to be among us, you celebrate with, who, whether small or also old, O Lord, who were instrumental in our lives to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ you have taken to yourself. Also, younger, as we also remember that you took little class to yourself. And Lord, these are hard times and yet, through the tears and bitterness of mourning, we can also rejoice because of you have come and you also took these two classes to yourself. And that's why, Lord, yes, in the midst of mourning, in the midst of the cry, where are you, O God, and where is your kingdom? We can rejoice because you have come. You have covered and you have taken. So bless us, Lord, with your coming into our midst again. Help us, O Lord. Comfort us, assure us. not of the things of this world or in the things of this world, because there is no comfort and there is no assurance. It will pass away, this kingdom, but your kingdom will last forever. It's a kingdom of love, of eternal love and grace. So open your scriptures, Lord, your own scriptures to our hearts and our hearts to your word. By the power and presence also of your Holy Spirit, Oh Lord, lead us. And that we also may say together that it was good to be together to celebrate your presence. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. Before we sing, before we read, let us sing. And that is 117, 117. I know there are five verses. I think it's good to sing together. All five verses. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. So before we turn to the scriptures, let us stand and sing these verses. Yeah. Yeah. You may be seated. This morning, on this Christmas morning, we will read the Christmas narrative, the Christmas story from Luke. Luke verse 1, chapter 2. Chapter 2, verse 1. And here I do need my glasses. Luke 2, verse 1. And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, every one to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed or engaged wife, who was with child. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. That's for the reading of God's holy and infallible word. The title for this message, this Christmas message, you all can also find in your bulletin, is the question. The question, where is the king? And where is his kingdom? Where is the king? And where is his kingdom? We began reading, and it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. On this Christmas morning, yes, we celebrate Jesus Christ, the King, who we have celebrated or in anticipation was coming and now has come. On this Christmas morning we celebrate, may it be in faith and spirit and in truth, God's coming in the flesh. His kingdom is coming. And his kingdom has come. But the question that we have posed at the beginning is where is the king and where is his kingdom, but where and how is the question of his coming, of his presence, and of his abiding, his dwelling. And so also an appropriate question again on this Christmas morning. Now, also children looking at the text, it doesn't look like it at all. It looks like some other king, some other God is in charge and is becoming even more powerful and even richer. It looks like Caesar Augustus is in control. Caesar was the name of all the Roman emperors. His name Augustus was given to him after he became Caesar to express his grandeur in French, or his majesty, his reverence. Augustus means majestic, the increaser, or the venerable. Yes, Augustus was great and venerated. You could also say he was worshipped. He was worshipped like a god. And indeed, he was powerful. He could order a decree, we read, a dogma, literally, that all the world should be taxed or registered and everyone obeyed. They had no choice. They had to go. Maybe there were even police on the corners of the street. If you wouldn't go, they maybe would make you go by force. Or an army was afoot. You better go and register. It's the decree of Augustus. Yes, everyone. Listen to what follows. This census took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. This zooms in a little bit into where we are going to focus also, because this was the first registration also of Israel, of the Jewish nations. So it's important. The Roman emperor Augustus, worshipped like a king, now also ordering a decree. And it also is and counts for, listen carefully, the people of the covenant of God. Even the people of the covenant were under Caesar Augustus' power and control. Them too. Everyone, all the world, or known world at that time. So all went to be registered. We read in verse three, everyone to his own city. They had no choice. They had no choice. All went to be registered from Judea, from Galilee, including men, women and children and everyone into his own city where he was born or where he had originally come from. So also, children, if you look at these first verses, these first three verses, the question really can be posed and should be posed. So who is king? Who is in control? That is a real question, a deeply personal and spiritual one, especially also for the Jews of that time, but also for Christians in our time. When you look around in our country, when you look around in the world, you may ask, who is king? Who is in control? And as you look in our country and around in our country, but also in the world, let's say publicly, you can cry out, Oh God, where are you? Where is your kingdom? Where is your power? Where is your presence? Where is your providence? A cry of the heart, publicly, the waves of judgment seem to have come upon our nation. Immorality has taken over. It seems that absolutely Satan is in charge. The world looks powerful and in ultimate control to give their version of maybe ultimate peace. But, oh, the heart cries out, where are you? Oh God, where is your? But also personally, O you, we may and perhaps do ask these questions, perhaps even afflicted and attacked by the devil. Yes, it's a time of celebration, but it's also a time when we seek the word of God to speak to us and God himself and his kingdom, guess who is always ready to be on the attack and attacking? The devil. And He will look and make you look and say, look around and see. Do you really believe that Christ is King? Do you really believe that God is in control, that you are part of His kingdom? Look around. It doesn't look like it at all. What's happening around you, even what's happening within you, it doesn't look like it at all. Is your Lord, your King, are you part of his kingdom? Is he in charge? Maybe you have had those whisperings of the devil in your ear too, maybe even and especially now during this time. Yes, it's a happy time, but also and especially for those who have come here that are reminded of former times. Afflicted. Where is God? Where is your kingdom? We are missing those who have been taken during this time, the loved ones. And it's bitter. It's bitter. It's affliction. These are real questions. Pain because of lost loved ones who otherwise would be here with us to celebrate. Back to the story, to Joseph and Mary. In this world under Caesar Augustus, as people of God, even as members of the family of the former king, David. We continue to read in the text. In this situation, verse four, Joseph also went up from Galilee. out of the city of Nazareth into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. And I want to focus this morning a little bit on Joseph. A lot of focus is always put on Mary, but it says here, and Joseph also. His experience is often overlooked in all of this. Now, he receives the decree and he has to go. He also goes with his wife in obedience. and in faith. He too had no choice, and they went together with Mary to Bethlehem. Sure, he did this in obedience, but let us follow what Joseph may have experienced in all of this. Do you not think, and let us say it carefully because we do not know exactly what would be in the mind of Joseph, but do you not think that Joseph also might have thought Lord, first you come in such a strange way to me. In Mary, whom I, and I quote, and this is from Luke 1 verse 18, to whom I was pledged to marry, to be married. But before I came together, that is before I had an intimate relationship with her, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. This is ultimately Impossible, but certainly strange. And we read on in his experience as he heard this, what did he say? So I did not want to expose her to public shame, to public disgrace, for according to the public and the law, it is a scandal. And so he says to the angel, or to himself, wanted to divorce her quietly. God had come to him by way and in through his espoused, engaged wife, so to speak. God had come in the presence of Joseph by way of the Holy Spirit, also conceiving in his espoused wife. And that is certainly an impossibility, but also a complete scandal. It did not make sense, even, and especially publicly, and it had the total appearance of being against God's law, God's own law. Where are you, God? Where is your kingdom? And that's how God had come into his life, especially also being espoused and engaged to Mary. But then you came and said that is God, Joseph, son of David, Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Ghost. The question is, where is God and where is His kingdom? To Joseph it was, yes, this is God's way, even with Joseph as king and God into his world under the shadow of sin and under the shadow of a scandal. He then, that is God's way. Because so, and I continue to quote, verse 21, she will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. You just have to bracket, isolate and imagine what that would have meant for Joseph. This was his quote unquote Christmas Eve experience. Well, later on when he is called to go out of Nazareth to Bethlehem even more clearly. That's how God was in his life and his kingdom had come under the appearance of a complete scandal. It didn't make sense under the appearance of a complete impossibility. It cannot make sense. And yet he has come and that's where he is and that's where his kingdom dwells. That's God's ways. That's God's way. Yeah, in such a strange way under the appearance of a scandal. Yes, truly, this is my way of salvation, God says, for you shall give him the name Jesus, because this is how I, he, as God will save my people from their sin. so he took Mary home as his wife. Now, just a moment of reflection. That, that, so he took Mary home as his wife, that can only be done in only be done in faith. We read it over quickly and easily, don't we? Oh, he just took her. Well, you know, no, no. God was in her life and the Savior would be born from and through Mary. He was revealed by the angel and God told him, but in order to actually take his wife, he would have to take and believe in that which actually was entirely impossible and completely scandalous. He would be married to the scandal of the village. We can't imagine, and especially in that time period, he would marry someone who was already pregnant, and nobody would understand it, and nobody does understand it, that it was from the Holy Ghost. He would be living in the shadow of a great suspicion of contrariness to God's law, even under the shadow and suspicion and complete covering of sin. But that's how God was present and came into the life of Joseph. And that's how his kingdom was present. And that's how he took Mary as his wife. That's faith. He united with her under the cloud of sin, under the cloud of suspicion. Dear congregation, that's faith. Faith is, and I've said it before, is a hand that is cloaked and covered in sin. It has the appearance of sin, but at the same time receives, thus the Savior. That's how God is present. That's how his kingdom is present. But you cannot underestimate this little saying, and he took Mary to be his wife. He married to her in faith, in Jesus, under the cloak of the contrary. That's how God came. Yes, in such a strange Joseph might have thought, and now coming to our text, might have thought that it was already strange enough, but now this, she is nine months pregnant with Jesus, with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, God, and we have to go to Bethlehem all the way? Not only you see the receiving, the receiving of God in his life, by a naked faith, upon the word of the angel and the presence of God in his wife as God and Savior. But you know what? Not only the receiving, it was under a cloak of suspicion and sin and wrapped in sin and impossibility, but also the walking with her started to make absolutely no sense, even especially when we consider the story this morning. being married to Mary, who, of course, was carrying God, his savior. Can you imagine it? Not only to receive, but also to go with God in his way, or go God's way with him, his kingdom, in this world. Joseph probably may have asked himself, could Jesus, the Savior, could God not have been born in an easier way? You know, okay, the first reception was impossible, but now the birthing of this baby, even more impossible. Walking with God or God walking with us. in impossibilities, under the cloak of suspicion. And now, why this? Why now? No, Joseph did not think, oh, yes, he had to be born in Bethlehem, so, well, let us go there. You know, again, we read over this so easily. Oh, well, he married, and then he was with his wife, and then, well, okay, the decree came, and then he thought, oh, yes, well, yeah, the Savior ought to be born in Bethlehem anyway, so actually, let's put one together, and that makes two, and it makes sense that I'm going to Bethlehem. He had no idea! That wasn't in his mind. He went in faith completely, as in the dark, as in a complete obedience to the powers that were and the powers that be. That you can only do in complete faith, in a naked faith. Where is his kingdom? There it goes, we can say. Oh, we see it. Do we believe it? Hardly anyone, but Joseph did. And yet there it is, all according to God of God, for God and His kingdom. See them both go to Bethlehem by the decree of Caesar. And dear congregation, here we come to another text in the scriptures, precisely also as already prophesied and promised by God's scriptures and in God's scriptures themselves. We read, and often children recite it during this time, but you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, insignificant, little amongst the thousands of Judah. Yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be the ruler in Israel. You see, the king and his kingdom in Bethlehem. That's why Joseph was going there, had to go there, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting. De-congregation, what kind of kingdom is this? It's not the kingdom of the world. It's the kingdom of the promise of God. And the king is not of this world, but the king is of heaven, of everlasting to everlasting. It is a spiritual kingdom, a heavenly kingdom, which can only be understood and lived into by faith. continually to be guided by God all the way until the end. Maybe under the cloak of suspicion, of sin, of darkness. Not in the glitter and glory of this world. That is where you do not find God and his kingdom. You'd think this is a bit antithetical. This is a bit anticlimactic for a celebratory day like Christmas where we have lights and presents. It's the truth. It's from the scriptures. We need to be reminded of it. Where is God? Where is his kingdom? See, here he is. And that's how his kingdom goes forth in this world, also through and in his church, his children. It's a spiritual kingdom. not an earthly kingdom. It's a kingdom from heaven, for heaven, not from earth, for earth. It's not Caesar, Augustus, but it is God in Jesus himself, whose going forth are from old, from everlasting. In this way, this is God's way. This is our king's way. And, you know, zooming out a little bit. So this is the experience of Joseph. And now, zooming out a little bit in terms of the plan and way of God in this world. You know, on top of it all, you know when it comes and when it arrives. This is anti-cultural and anti-flesh. Let me say this again, this is anti-cultural and anti-flagrant. I have a lot more in this, added to this, but I'm not going to go there. Don't mix the two kingdoms, that's all I'm going to say. Don't. Yes, it comes when all seems to be lost. All is completely under the power and control of the king and the empire of this world. It seems finished. Done. The people of God were especially, and in that time, in that state of hopelessness, of impossibility. Why do you read that, Pastor? Well, the people of God were conquered by the Romans and they were oppressed. Even yet, exiles in their own country. They were in captivity. We tend to forget. You know, we think, oh, well, they were in boss in their own. No, they weren't boss in their own country. They were in captivity. You know, some say the Babylonian captivity had never really stopped. They were still in captivity. They were still under the control of foreign powers. Of and in the kingdom of this world. It had become a hopeless situation. In exile. What do you read that pastor? Yes, and so willed and worked by God himself. Micah 5, verse 3. Listen, Micah 5, verse 3, the promise, but also the fulfillment of that promise in time of the coming of God and his kingdom. Therefore, God says he shall give them up. You know, when before God, looks us up in grace. He gives us up. He lets us go. He shows us that we are in captivity, in exile. before we get to know God and his kingdom and his presence in our lives. He makes us aware that we are in captivity and slavery of sin and of the things of this world. He says, therefore he shall give them up. God gave them up. because of their sins, until it says, Micah 5, verse 3, read it yourself at home, until the time that see who is in labor has given birth. Who is that? God gives them up under Caesar in this kingdom until He comes as God and with his kingdom when, oh, it's a beautiful verse when I looked at this, until the time that she who is in labor has given birth. Who is that dear congregation? Who is that children? Of course, that is Mary with Joseph. Then the remnant of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel. Only then, and only in him and through him, the seed of the woman, when she will give birth. Where is God? Where is his kingdom? In captivity, he has come to take captivity, captive by the birth and work of his son. Where is God? Where is his kingdom? Friends, this is how God works in his present, judging in judgment, bringing his people into exile, even in their own country. Let me elaborate on this a little bit. and that rubs people the wrong way and against the heel or the flesh. But before you become a citizen of heaven in Christ, God will make you a stranger of this earth. He will bring you into exile in your own country. Let me say it even more personally, sometimes even in exile, in your own family. That's how God works. Don't mix the two kingdoms, because here below we are in captivity, in exile. I had in my notes Trump, and I said, no, I don't wanna mention Trump, but I'm gonna mention him anyways. Some people are, but listen, he's not a savior. He cannot be a savior. He is of this world. He is like Caesar, like a Tsar, like a Kaiser. He has a toilet bowl made of gold. Maybe God can use him, but that's not what we put our hope in during this Christmas season. A lot of Christians are joining this bandwagon. Oh, yeah, good times ahead. I don't know. I'm not sure. But that's where I do not put my hope or trust. because he makes us exiles in our own country to make us citizens of his eternal kingdom. That's what we see here. Where is God? Where is your kingdom and power? Oh God of our fathers, of our former kings, the Israelites will no longer, we're probably crying, but also, and this is the miracle of Christmas. And we've said it until the time that he who was in labor has given. Beautiful, isn't it? God's perfect imperfect time. This is the keros of God. the moment of God's revelation of grace, perpendicular, opuntus mathematicus, so to speak. Forgive me, the Latin this morning. But that's how he came into this world, to deliver us from the chronos, the time in which we live, and the chronos in which we have to lose everything, even our body, in the grave, in the end. God's perfect Timing. So Joseph went to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child, who was with God. God. Who knew it? See them going, children, to unknown people. Princes that have lost their glory and power. They were of the lineage of David. All that splendor, that glitter, that power, God had taken away. You see, this is the way of God, dear congregation. It wasn't, never because of David and his glitter and his power. It had to also disappear and even move to a forgotten corner into the world of Israel, into Nazareth, the Galilee of the heathens. It had come to naught. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. The days were completed. This is God's time and God's way. his accomplishment, of his promise. That's where God is. We read, had God not done so and said so already, I'm reading in Isaiah 50, 43. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, for your sake I will send you to Babylon. The children of Israel during the time of Jesus, what did I say? Were in captivity in Babylon. And bring them all down as fugitive. The Chaldeans who rejoice in their ships. Now, who are the Chaldeans that rejoice in their ships? That's this kingdom, that Caesar, that Caesar Augustus who rejoiced in their ships, which means what? In their power, in the military prowess, in their strength, in their glory, in their glitter of this world. That's what before him and that's what was also upon and in Israel, the Chaldeans who rejoice in their ships. And then what do we read? Verse 15, I am the Lord, your holy one, the creator of Israel, your king, your king. Thus says the Lord who makes, listen, listen, who makes a way in the sea and a path through mighty waters. Dear congregation, the kingdom God and the kingdom of God, he makes his way in the sea, in the waters, in judgment, in the nations. That's his way in this world. Do you know this? Or are you now just saying, what are you talking about on this Christmas day? But that's scripture. Where is the king and his kingdom? Oh, the Lord's way is through judgment and captivity, yet through the mighty waters of judgment. But thus and so, he is Lord and Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Thus and so. I know it's Christmas. You want to go home. Just a few more verses. People, God's people say this, and I don't know if you know it personally, with the Psalmist 77, will the Lord cast us off forever? In affliction? or and will he be favorable no more? The state of the people of Israel, the state of the people of God, crying from the bottom of their heart, has his mercy ceased forever? Has his mercy ceased forever? Has his promise failed forevermore? Do you go on this world and around this world and in this way, in this spirit? Oh, I stand up in the mornings like this and say, oh, Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. Where are your mercies? Your grace, your compassion, your love? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his tender mercies? And then it says in verse 19, Psalm 77, read it at home all the way. Your way was in the sea. Your way, your path in the great waters, and your footsteps were not known, are hidden in the ways and the times of God, the King and the Savior of his people. And yet so, that's what we celebrate. during Christmas, his ways are in the sea. God's ways are in the sea. In the sea of people, even under judgment. In great waters, your footsteps were not known. That's how God's presence is in this world. For the world, his footsteps are absolutely unknown. cannot be known except by faith, you see? Do you know this, God? Are you part of His kingdom in this way? Oh, His ways go through the sea and us with Him. But He goes before us. Listen to the rest. And yet so you let your people like a flock. That's how God is present, and we are in his kingdom, going through the sea, but yet upon dry ground and to the other side of the shore. Unto God be praise, honor, and glory. Where is God? Where is his kingdom? We read, and she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. You see, there is no room for God and his kingdom in this world, but he makes room for himself by judgment and in judgment by grace. And that's who has come, and that's whom we celebrate during Christmas. That's a great comfort for those who are mourning. That's why in the Beatitudes, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. The people of God go... through this world as a mourning people, as a persecuted people, as a hated people. And I know you don't want to listen, and you don't want to hear it, and I don't want to hear it, but it's what the scripture tells us. And that's how we are no longer citizens only of this world, but ultimately and mainly and purposefully citizens of the kingdom of God in Jesus Christ, who goes here wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. You know what, I heard on the radio, oh yeah, he was in the manger and that made him so accessible to everybody. That's why he was in the manger. Now everybody just could come to him freely and joyfully, and that's what we celebrate at Christmas. That was even on a Christian radio station. I said, what a nonsense. You know, nobody came to Jesus, nobody. Joseph and Mary believed in him absolutely, but nobody came to Jesus except those who were sent by a star, his own star. And we will see it on Monday by the angels themselves coming from heaven to bring them to the sign, this sign. And you will find him in swaddling clothes, laying in the manger. Otherwise, no one saw it or came. Some do, and some rejoice, as we will see also on Sunday. And they went home rejoicing because they had seen God, had seen his kingdom, all in the contrary of this world, but they jumped up of joy. Where is God? Where is his kingdom? Do you know it? Can you rejoice with me this morning? in mourning, in affliction, yet rejoicing in the gift of gifts, Jesus Christ and his kingdom. Amen. Let us sing. 140, what did I say? 148. Okay, 148, O Holy Night. And we'll see that. Oh, or you may stand if you want. Yeah. You may be seated. And before we also take time to come before the Lord in prayer, I would just like to draw your attention, not to put any man in the front, but also, especially during this congregational prayer, the needs of others and also of our brother Richard Overbeek. He has a newsletter. in which he expresses his thanks, but also his needs. So he's in Malawi, and he's called there to do the preaching of the Word of God. But there are challenges. The rain is not coming down. He's also facing opposition from the forces of darkness. He is saying that in this newsletter. As we are reminded of his coming, also let us remind ourselves that the Lord be with him in his needs. Let's pray together. Lord, we thank you for your coming. There was no room for you. And we say this so easily. But you know, Lord, it's true that you make room for yourself where there is no room. And we don't like to hear it, but it's also the best news that ever we could hear, because no one else would come. And you would dwell in no one, absolutely no one. And so Lord, that we may in faith also embrace the dear Lord Jesus Christ, your present to this world, the kingdom that lies in wickedness and darkness, and yet, a king that comes under the cloak of the opposites. And yet, within there is grace, there is love, there is eternal peace, reconciliation with you, oh Lord. So bless us also during this Christmas season, that you would unveil yourself and reveal yourself as the hidden but revealed one. that we so may also walk with you and you walk with us. Oh, we may be perplexed, we may be mourning, we may be suffering in pain, but we can also be rejoicing for all the gifts that you continue to give. Because once we understand this precious gift, we have died to this world, everything becomes a gift. Everything is a gift, Lord. of your grace and of your mercy. Your mercies are new every morning. Oh, that we may see it through the eyes of the perfect gift, Jesus Christ and his kingdom. Bless us, O Lord, those who are afflicted, but those who are also maybe mentally and spiritually challenged. Lord, be their comfort and their strength. Be with those who suffer in body. We think of Henny, we think of Ruth, we think of others, maybe that don't express their bodily needs and difficulties, but Lord, be their strength and their shield, their comfort. So be also with us as we go into the future, Lord, that you may be present among us and that we may so be present to others, a world lost in sin, pining. to the people, the publicans and the sinners on the street. For with those you dined, for those you came as a friend of publicans and sinners. Bless us, O Lord, the rest of this time of celebration. Also, Lord, as we go maybe from here and travel back to wherever we come from, Give us mercies thereto, and that we may be a light where you place us, of truth and of the Spirit. So Lord, be also with us. Continue to abide in our midst. In Jesus' name, to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Let us sing standing